(this piece was originally published in June of 2016)
Many in the music industry, The Voice family, fans, friends, and family are all mourning today due to a senseless death of YouTube and Voice alum superstar Christina Grimmie. Last night, June 10 Christina Grimmie put on one last show and one that will be remembered not for joy but for tragedy. Before the performance in Orlando, Florida, Grimmie went to Twitter and Snapchat to invite her fans to come out with a smile on her face. Little did she know that shortly after her performance during a meet & greet her life would end due to a gunshot in the chest.
It’s a shame that someone who was only realizing the fruit of her dreams could die at such a young age. And now, the fruit of her dreams will only be that – dreams. This was a young woman who was starting to step into her purpose. She had over 3 million subscribers on YouTube and was starting to take over the Billboard charts one song at a time. It’s a sad irony to know that she was killed bringing joy to others doing what she loved most.
It’s easy to ask the question ‘why’ when senseless acts such as this take place. The act could have been prevented, and if it were, we still would have a shining light in this world. Christina Grimmie wasn’t just a YouTube star or phenomenal singer, she was an inspiration, and more importantly, she was a lover of the Lord. This was evident when she spoke and even walked into a room. Many of her friends in the industry can testify to such evidence. Christina Cimorelli from the group Cimorelli spoke out on Twitter. “ She had so much light in her and she spent her time spreading the Word of God faithfully,” she says. “She was an incredible role model to all who loved her and her music, a true living example of Christ’s love. She is truly an angel.”
The band Before You Exit also went to Twitter to speak about Christina. “She was always a constant beam of light and energy into the hearts of everyone around her. Her carefree spirit and her laughter constantly lit up every room she entered and she always had this glisten in her eyes, which was evident in her faith. We know she is glistening from up in Heaven and shining down on all of this,” they said in a note. “As we know Jesus said ‘In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’
“She was an incredible role model to all who loved her and her music, a true living example of Christ’s love. She is truly an angel.”
The YouTube star never shied away from her faith. She spoke of it whenever she could. In 2013, she went to YouTube on Easter Sunday to sing a cover of her favorite worship song “In Christ Alone”. Not only that, but Twitter was another outlet for her to speak freely of what she believed in. Earlier this year, she tweeted something that resonates with many, especially today in light of her death. She spoke about trusting God in the midst of struggle. “Sometimes God allows terrible things to happen in your life and you don’t know why. But that doesn’t mean you should stop trusting Him.” This tweet alone reveals the faith the 22-year-old had.
Sometimes God allows terrible things to happen in your life and you don’t know why. But that doesn’t mean you should stop trusting Him.
— Christina Grimmie (@TheRealGrimmie) February 21, 2013
Her youth pastor Jason George spoke out on Facebook of the true authentic love she had for her Lord and Savior. “She genuinely wanted to know Him deeper and wanted to know how to live for Him in the viscous entertainment world. I’d remind her that none of us have it all together, and that’s why our heart faith is in Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection. I’d remind her that it’s grace that saves us, not religion or good deeds. Christina loved that.”
Christina also spoke fondly of her fans. “I just love them so much. They’re awesome people, and I want the to stay that way. I love them,” she stated in an interview. Her fans returned the love in many ways. But the day she died, their love for her may have spoken above and beyond. Many spoke of memories they had of the singer, and reminiscing on the first time they heard her voice. Acacia Evans, founder of Big City Thoughts Magazine spoke fondly of her cover of Demi Lovato’s song ‘Skyscraper’ stating that she had it on repeat. Many others who were at the venue stated that it was a phenomenal last live performance from the singer, while others spoke of some who prayed with her right before the incident occurred.
Many from The Voice family have spoken out in disbelief, while Voice coach Adam Levine went to Twitter later today expressing his shock and sadness about the incident.
Behati and I are absolutely devastated and heartbroken by Christina Grimmie’s death. Our hearts go out to her family pic.twitter.com/y4OMkm0uXu
— Adam Levine (@adamlevine) June 11, 2016
Tears are being shed, and we pray that in tragedy, the Lord will use it for something beautiful. Our prayers go out to the Grimmie family during this tragic time.
“Until He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand. “
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